The 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs Overall

Read “Where the Recession Proof Jobs Are”.

The best recession-proof jobs are those that are least sensitive to economic
downturn, and which have the highest combined scores for pay, projected
workforce growth, and number of openings.

See pictures of office cubicles around the world.

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Job Category

Earnings 1

Growth 2

Openings 1

1

Computer Systems Analysts

$69,760

29.00%

63,166

2

Network Systems

$64,600

53.40%

35,086

and Data Communications Analysts

3

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$62,130

27.00%

37,010

4

Registered Nurses

$57,280

23.50%

233,499

5

Teachers, Postsecondary

$57,770

22.90%

237,478

6

Physical Therapists

$66,200

27.10%

12,072

7

Physicians and Surgeons

> $145,600

14.20%

38,027

8

Dental Hygienists

$62,800

30.10%

10,433

9

Pharmacists

$94,520

21.70%

16,358

10

Medical and Health Services Managers

$73,340

16.40%

31,877

11

Physician Assistants

$74,980

27.00%

7,147

12

Veterinarians

$71,990

35.00%

5,301

13

Database Administrators

$64,670

28.60%

8,258

14

Social and Community Service Managers

$52,070

24.70%

23,788

15

Instructional Coordinators

$52,790

22.50%

21,294

16

Environmental Engineers

$69,940

25.40%

5,003

17

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

$73,990

14.20%

17,121

18

Occupational Therapists

$60,470

23.10%

8,338

19

Public Relations Specialists

$47,350

17.60%

51,216

20

Environmental Scientists

$56,100

25.10%

6,961

and Specialists, Including Health

21

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

$58,260

17.30%

14,746

22

Actuaries

$82,800

23.70%

3,245

23

Medical Assistants

$26,290

35.40%

92,977

24

Mental Health Counselors

$34,380

30.00%

24,103

25

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

$34,040

34.30%

20,821

26

Social and Human Service Assistants

$25,580

33.60%

80,142

27

Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

$47,530

12.60%

54,025

28

Health Educators

$41,330

26.20%

13,707

29

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

$59,440

15.80%

8,309

30

Medical and Public Health Social Workers

$43,040

24.20%

16,429

31

Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School

$77,740

7.60%

27,143

32

Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$35,410

29.90%

17,289

33

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers

$33,440

23.10%

64,449

34

Pharmacy Technicians

$25,630

32.00%

54,453

35

Clergy

$39,680

18.90%

35,092

36

Dental Assistants

$30,220

29.20%

29,482

37

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$72,660

21.90%

2,471

38

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$37,480

19.10%

35,402

39

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Ed.

$43,580

16.30%

27,603

40

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

$46,300

11.20%

75,270

41

Correctional Officers and Jailers

$35,760

16.90%

56,579

42

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

$48,170

15.10%

12,836

43

Marriage and Family Therapists

$43,210

29.80%

5,953

44

Physical Therapist Assistants

$41,360

32.40%

5,957

45

Radiation Therapists

$66,170

24.80%

1,461

46

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Ed.

$22,680

26.30%

78,172

47

Surgical Technologists

$36,080

24.50%

15,365

48

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

$47,460

10.80%

37,842

49

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$36,550

14.00%

70,610

50

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

$47,650

15.80%

8,846

51

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$33,780

14.30%

97,350

52

Respiratory Therapists

$47,420

22.60%

5,563

53

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

$47,740

5.60%

93,166

54

Speech-Language Pathologists

$57,710

10.60%

11,160

55

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

$57,160

19.10%

3,211

56

First-Line Supervisors/Managers

$69,310

9.20%

9,373

of Police and Detectives

57

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

$49,700

12.40%

11,457

58

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

$26,780

41.00%

14,674

59

Hydrologists

$66,260

24.30%

687

60

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education,

$43,910

14.20%

17,340

and GED Teachers and Instructors

61

Rehabilitation Counselors

$29,200

23.00%

32,081

62

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

$50,660

8.90%

22,024

63

Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program

$37,740

23.50%

8,113

64

Chiropractors

$65,220

14.40%

3,179

65

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

$42,300

25.50%

3,550

66

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants

$22,180

18.20%

321,036

67

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

$28,030

17.80%

39,048

68

Court Reporters

$45,610

24.50%

2,620

69

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

$86,420

21.30%

118

70

Interpreters and Translators

$35,560

23.60%

6,630

71

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers

$62,900

11.50%

3,771

72

Occupational Therapist Assistants

$42,060

25.40%

2,634

73

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

$35,180

11.60%

37,469

74

Optometrists

$91,040

11.30%

1,789

75

Fire Fighters

$41,190

12.10%

18,887

76

First-Line Supervisors/Managers

$52,580

12.50%

4,180

of Correctional Officers

77

Coaches and Scouts

$26,950

14.60%

51,100

78

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$42,500

10.90%

18,335

79

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

$27,070

19.20%

19,513

80

Massage Therapists

$33,400

20.30%

9,193

81

Athletes and Sports Competitors

$41,060

19.20%

4,293

82

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians

$34,840

24.20%

4,681

83

Environmental Engineering Technicians

$40,560

24.80%

2,162

84

Funeral Directors

$49,620

12.50%

3,939

85

Librarians

$49,060

3.60%

18,945

86

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

$31,910

10.10%

165,502

87

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

$62,300

14.80%

1,290

88

Budget Analysts

$61,430

7.10%

6,423

89

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

$48,330

8.50%

10,601

90

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

$32,090

12.50%

27,100

91

Curators

$46,300

23.30%

1,416

92

Private Detectives and Investigators

$33,750

18.20%

7,329

93

Air Traffic Controllers

$117,240

10.20%

1,213

94

Statisticians

$65,720

8.50%

3,433

95

Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators

$36,070

13.80%

9,575

96

Editors

$46,990

2.30%

20,193

97

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

$32,840

15.00%

10,866

98

Insurance Underwriters

$52,350

6.30%

6,880

99

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

$31,470

13.60%

17,628

100

Athletic Trainers

$36,560

24.30%

1,669

101

Film and Video Editors

$46,670

12.70%

2,707

102

Gaming Surveillance Officers

$27,130

33.60%

2,124

and Gaming Investigators

103

Podiatrists

$108,220

9.50%

648

104

Teacher Assistants

$20,740

10.40%

193,986

105

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

$101,690

5.10%

1,567

106

Mathematicians

$86,930

10.20%

473

107

Economists

$77,010

7.50%

1,555

108

Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

$20,350

13.00%

35,954

109

Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

$26,290

9.50%

54,060

110

Postal Service Mail Carriers

$44,350

1.00%

16,710

111

Anthropologists and Archeologists

$49,930

15.00%

446

112

Dietitians and Nutritionists

$46,980

8.60%

4,996

113

Bus Drivers, School

$24,820

9.30%

59,809

114

Computer, Automated Teller,

$36,480

3.00%

22,330

and Office Machine Repairers

115

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

$45,180

6.80%

6,607

116

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

$49,180

12.50%

1,030

117

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

$69,370

10.60%

233

118

Vocational Education Teachers,

$48,690

[nd]4.6%

7,639

Secondary School

119

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

$30,720

18.70%

3,457

120

Physical Therapist Aides

$22,060

24.40%

4,092

121

Pest Control Workers

$27,880

15.50%

6,006

122

Medical Equipment Preparers

$25,950

14.20%

8,363

123

Library Technicians

$26,560

8.50%

29,075

124

Audiologists

$57,120

9.80%

980

125

Political Scientists

$90,140

5.30%

318

126

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters,

$29,420

[nd]7.0%

75,361

Samplers, and Weighers

127

Embalmers

$37,840

14.30%

1,660

128

Sociologists

$60,290

10.00%

403

129

Food Scientists and Technologists

$53,810

10.30%

663

130

Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians

$20,370

21.70%

3,703

131

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

$49,490

10.60%

546

132

Power Plant Operators

$55,000

2.70%

1,796

133

Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents

$45,620

2.10%

4,465

134

Soil and Plant Scientists

$56,080

8.40%

850

135

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

$48,050

11.00%

644

136

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators,

$72,600

0.10%

794

and Hearing Officers

137

Archivists

$40,730

14.40%

795

138

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$34,340

15.90%

1,341

139

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

$43,900

[nd]8.4%

6,855

140

Dietetic Technicians

$24,040

14.80%

4,062

141

Funeral Attendants

$20,350

14.30%

6,034

142

Postal Service Clerks

$44,800

1.20%

3,703

143

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

$57,400

[nd]4.7%

1,591

144

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

$35,450

11.20%

1,933

145

Postmasters and Mail Superintendents

$55,790

[nd]0.8%

1,627

146

Bailiffs

$34,210

11.20%

2,223

147

Library Assistants, Clerical

$21,640

7.90%

18,961

148

Animal Control Workers

$27,910

12.50%

3,377

149

Broadcast Technicians

$30,690

12.10%

2,955

150

Animal Scientists

$47,800

9.80%

299

1 Annually
2 Projected cumulative growth in job openings, 2006-2016

Job Category

Earnings 1

Growth 2

Openings 1

1

Computer Systems Analysts

$69,760

29.00%

63,166

2

Network Systems

$64,600

53.40%

35,086

and Data Communications Analysts

3

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$62,130

27.00%

37,010

4

Registered Nurses

$57,280

23.50%

233,499

5

Teachers, Postsecondary

$57,770

22.90%

237,478

6

Physical Therapists

$66,200

27.10%

12,072

7

Physicians and Surgeons

> $145,600

14.20%

38,027

8

Dental Hygienists

$62,800

30.10%

10,433

9

Pharmacists

$94,520

21.70%

16,358

10

Medical and Health Services Managers

$73,340

16.40%

31,877

11

Physician Assistants

$74,980

27.00%

7,147

12

Veterinarians

$71,990

35.00%

5,301

13

Database Administrators

$64,670

28.60%

8,258

14

Social and Community Service Managers

$52,070

24.70%

23,788

15

Instructional Coordinators

$52,790

22.50%

21,294

16

Environmental Engineers

$69,940

25.40%

5,003

17

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

$73,990

14.20%

17,121

18

Occupational Therapists

$60,470

23.10%

8,338

19

Public Relations Specialists

$47,350

17.60%

51,216

20

Environmental Scientists

$56,100

25.10%

6,961

and Specialists, Including Health

21

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

$58,260

17.30%

14,746

22

Actuaries

$82,800

23.70%

3,245

23

Medical Assistants

$26,290

35.40%

92,977

24

Mental Health Counselors

$34,380

30.00%

24,103

25

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

$34,040

34.30%

20,821

26

Social and Human Service Assistants

$25,580

33.60%

80,142

27

Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

$47,530

12.60%

54,025

28

Health Educators

$41,330

26.20%

13,707

29

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

$59,440

15.80%

8,309

30

Medical and Public Health Social Workers

$43,040

24.20%

16,429

31

Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School

$77,740

7.60%

27,143

32

Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$35,410

29.90%

17,289

33

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers

$33,440

23.10%

64,449

34

Pharmacy Technicians

$25,630

32.00%

54,453

35

Clergy

$39,680

18.90%

35,092

36

Dental Assistants

$30,220

29.20%

29,482

37

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$72,660

21.90%

2,471

38

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$37,480

19.10%

35,402

39

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Ed.

$43,580

16.30%

27,603

40

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

$46,300

11.20%

75,270

41

Correctional Officers and Jailers

$35,760

16.90%

56,579

42

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

$48,170

15.10%

12,836

43

Marriage and Family Therapists

$43,210

29.80%

5,953

44

Physical Therapist Assistants

$41,360

32.40%

5,957

45

Radiation Therapists

$66,170

24.80%

1,461

46

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Ed.

$22,680

26.30%

78,172

47

Surgical Technologists

$36,080

24.50%

15,365

48

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

$47,460

10.80%

37,842

49

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$36,550

14.00%

70,610

50

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

$47,650

15.80%

8,846

51

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$33,780

14.30%

97,350

52

Respiratory Therapists

$47,420

22.60%

5,563

53

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

$47,740

5.60%

93,166

54

Speech-Language Pathologists

$57,710

10.60%

11,160

55

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

$57,160

19.10%

3,211

56

First-Line Supervisors/Managers

$69,310

9.20%

9,373

of Police and Detectives

57

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

$49,700

12.40%

11,457

58

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

$26,780

41.00%

14,674

59

Hydrologists

$66,260

24.30%

687

60

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education,

$43,910

14.20%

17,340

and GED Teachers and Instructors

61

Rehabilitation Counselors

$29,200

23.00%

32,081

62

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

$50,660

8.90%

22,024

63

Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program

$37,740

23.50%

8,113

64

Chiropractors

$65,220

14.40%

3,179

65

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

$42,300

25.50%

3,550

66

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants

$22,180

18.20%

321,036

67

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

$28,030

17.80%

39,048

68

Court Reporters

$45,610

24.50%

2,620

69

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

$86,420

21.30%

118

70

Interpreters and Translators

$35,560

23.60%

6,630

71

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers

$62,900

11.50%

3,771

72

Occupational Therapist Assistants

$42,060

25.40%

2,634

73

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

$35,180

11.60%

37,469

74

Optometrists

$91,040

11.30%

1,789

75

Fire Fighters

$41,190

12.10%

18,887

76

First-Line Supervisors/Managers

$52,580

12.50%

4,180

of Correctional Officers

77

Coaches and Scouts

$26,950

14.60%

51,100

78

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$42,500

10.90%

18,335

79

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

$27,070

19.20%

19,513

80

Massage Therapists

$33,400

20.30%

9,193

81

Athletes and Sports Competitors

$41,060

19.20%

4,293

82

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians

$34,840

24.20%

4,681

83

Environmental Engineering Technicians

$40,560

24.80%

2,162

84

Funeral Directors

$49,620

12.50%

3,939

85

Librarians

$49,060

3.60%

18,945

86

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

$31,910

10.10%

165,502

87

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

$62,300

14.80%

1,290

88

Budget Analysts

$61,430

7.10%

6,423

89

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

$48,330

8.50%

10,601

90

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

$32,090

12.50%

27,100

91

Curators

$46,300

23.30%

1,416

92

Private Detectives and Investigators

$33,750

18.20%

7,329

93

Air Traffic Controllers

$117,240

10.20%

1,213

94

Statisticians

$65,720

8.50%

3,433

95

Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators

$36,070

13.80%

9,575

96

Editors

$46,990

2.30%

20,193

97

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

$32,840

15.00%

10,866

98

Insurance Underwriters

$52,350

6.30%

6,880

99

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

$31,470

13.60%

17,628

100

Athletic Trainers

$36,560

24.30%

1,669

101

Film and Video Editors

$46,670

12.70%

2,707

102

Gaming Surveillance Officers

$27,130

33.60%

2,124

and Gaming Investigators

103

Podiatrists

$108,220

9.50%

648

104

Teacher Assistants

$20,740

10.40%

193,986

105

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

$101,690

5.10%

1,567

106

Mathematicians

$86,930

10.20%

473

107

Economists

$77,010

7.50%

1,555

108

Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

$20,350

13.00%

35,954

109

Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

$26,290

9.50%

54,060

110

Postal Service Mail Carriers

$44,350

1.00%

16,710

111

Anthropologists and Archeologists

$49,930

15.00%

446

112

Dietitians and Nutritionists

$46,980

8.60%

4,996

113

Bus Drivers, School

$24,820

9.30%

59,809

114

Computer, Automated Teller,

$36,480

3.00%

22,330

and Office Machine Repairers

115

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

$45,180

6.80%

6,607

116

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

$49,180

12.50%

1,030

117

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

$69,370

10.60%

233

118

Vocational Education Teachers,

$48,690

[nd]4.6%

7,639

Secondary School

119

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

$30,720

18.70%

3,457

120

Physical Therapist Aides

$22,060

24.40%

4,092

121

Pest Control Workers

$27,880

15.50%

6,006

122

Medical Equipment Preparers

$25,950

14.20%

8,363

123

Library Technicians

$26,560

8.50%

29,075

124

Audiologists

$57,120

9.80%

980

125

Political Scientists

$90,140

5.30%

318

126

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters,

$29,420

[nd]7.0%

75,361

Samplers, and Weighers

127

Embalmers

$37,840

14.30%

1,660

128

Sociologists

$60,290

10.00%

403

129

Food Scientists and Technologists

$53,810

10.30%

663

130

Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians

$20,370

21.70%

3,703

131

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

$49,490

10.60%

546

132

Power Plant Operators

$55,000

2.70%

1,796

133

Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents

$45,620

2.10%

4,465

134

Soil and Plant Scientists

$56,080

8.40%

850

135

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

$48,050

11.00%

644

136

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators,

$72,600

0.10%

794

and Hearing Officers

137

Archivists

$40,730

14.40%

795

138

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$34,340

15.90%

1,341

139

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

$43,900

[nd]8.4%

6,855

140

Dietetic Technicians

$24,040

14.80%

4,062

141

Funeral Attendants

$20,350

14.30%

6,034

142

Postal Service Clerks

$44,800

1.20%

3,703

143

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

$57,400

[nd]4.7%

1,591

144

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

$35,450

11.20%

1,933

145

Postmasters and Mail Superintendents

$55,790

[nd]0.8%

1,627

146

Bailiffs

$34,210

11.20%

2,223

147

Library Assistants, Clerical

$21,640

7.90%

18,961

148

Animal Control Workers

$27,910

12.50%

3,377

149

Broadcast Technicians

$30,690

12.10%

2,955

150

Animal Scientists

$47,800

9.80%

299

1 Annually
2 Projected cumulative growth in job openings, 2006-2016

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